& So Much More

In this blog post, we'll explore the essential professional basics you need to know to succeed in any workplace. From communication skills to workplace etiquette, you'll learn how to establish a positive reputation and build a successful career.

Discover the key to success in the workplace: Building strong relationships with your manager and team members. Learn the importance of understanding expectations, effective communication, and team dynamics. Find out how to foster a positive and productive work environment, improve collaboration, and increase job satisfaction. Get tips on how to reach out, share about yourself, listen and follow-up, and understand cultural backgrounds. Make the effort to invest in building relationships for a more fulfilling and successful career.

In this blog post, learn how to understand and effectively use feedback from your manager to improve your performance. Discover tips on how to approach feedback with an open mind, understand the context, assume positive intent, and use it to make meaningful changes in your professional development. Turn feedback into a valuable tool for success.

Looking to navigate workplace conflict more effectively? Check out our latest blog post, where we explore the five different modes of conflict and how to use them effectively. Learn about competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating modes, and discover which one(s) you tend to gravitate towards. With this knowledge, you can resolve conflicts in a constructive and effective way, leading to a more positive and productive work environment.

Learn about the negative effects of micromanaging on new hires in the workplace and how to avoid it. Discover how micromanaging can make new hires feel unwelcome, unvalued, and unmotivated, leading to increased stress, decreased productivity and high turnover rates.

It is important for early career professionals to highlight the benefits of building personal brands and networks, skill development, industry knowledge, professionalism, and work ethic. Ampersand recommends that interns take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills, understand industry trends, seek feedback, and actively engage with colleagues and managers. By doing so, interns can create a valuable learning experience that can help them achieve their career goals. Overall, the blog emphasizes the importance of internships as a tool for personal and professional growth.

Imposter Syndrome is a common experience among professionals from entry-level to executive positions, causing feelings of inadequacy and insecurity in their job performance. It can be difficult for employees to communicate their struggles, but signs of Imposter Syndrome include downplaying accomplishments, self-critique, fear of being exposed as unqualified, and hesitance in describing their role or title. Managers can help by fostering a supportive work environment, encouraging face-to-face communication and regular feedback, providing opportunities for growth, and reminding employees that these feelings are normal. By creating an inclusive and supportive culture, employees can overcome Imposter Syndrome and perform at their full potential.

Internships should always be paid, as it provides financial stability for the intern, increases diversity in the workplace, leads to better retention rates and better results. Unpaid internships can add extra financial stress to the intern and tend to favor individuals from privileged backgrounds. Based on Ampersand’s experience, the importance of both parties (interns and businesses) having a stake in the internship for it to be a beneficial experience.

To give interns and new hires a successful first day, it is important to properly prepare for their arrival by setting up their workstations and providing the necessary equipment or materials. Ensure they feel welcomed and included by introducing them to colleagues, giving a tour of the office, and providing company swag. Set clear expectations for their role and responsibilities and provide training and resources for success. Focus on growth and development by setting SMART goals, giving feedback, conducting performance evaluations and mapping out opportunities for advancement. All of these steps can help to create a positive and productive first day, setting the tone for a successful experience with the company.

Soft skills training can deliver a 250% return on investment, according to an MIT Sloan School of Management study. The study found that collaboration, communication, and critical thinking are essential in a workplace where teams must innovate and work together. Ampersand's training program covers the eight core competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which include verbal and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, professionalism, technology, and career and self-development. These skills help to streamline coordination, build relationships, and contribute to a company's culture and reputation.

Personality assessments offer benefits for employees and employers by providing insights into employees' strengths, skills, and personality traits. These assessments can help new employees navigate their career options and reduce uncertainty and anxiety. For employers, personality assessments can aid in providing better support and coaching to employees, leading to a more efficient and productive team. 74% of employees feel that lack of development programs limit their potential and 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if the company offered learning and development opportunities. Personality assessments can reveal how employees fit into the organization and help maximize their performance and foster a sense of belonging.

There are many challenges in managing remote employees and offers tips on how to foster productive and authentic relationships with them. A great first day, consists of setting clear expectations, clarifying communication channels, scheduling regular check-ins, encouraging open communication by building trust, being flexible, and providing feedback are key strategies in building employer-employee trust. Proactive communication and clear expectations establishes strong remote working relationships.

In summary, it's important to set clear expectations and have an open conversations with your employees on your expectations and what they need to accomplish these results. However, it's also important to remember that internships are not just about producing results, but also about growing your next generation of talent and seeing if these individuals are a good fit for your organization in the long-term.

By following these tips, you can create a job description that is clear, inclusive, and effective in attracting the right candidates for your entry-level positions. Remember that a well-written job description is the first step in attracting the right talent and building a strong, diverse workforce.

Internships can be a great way for businesses to bring in fresh talent and get new perspectives on projects and tasks. However, to make the most out of an internship program, businesses need to put in the time and effort to ensure success.

Managing a team isn’t always easy, but if there’s one management principle I always come back to, it’s that I set the standard for my team. As managers, our habits inform our teams’ habits; when we take a dedicated and disciplined approach, the people we lead will often follow suit.

Onboarding. New hire training. Employee orientation. It can be overwhelming, and if it is done poorly, it can lead to a risky new hire and a huge loss. Improve new hire onboarding and training using the 5 C's to successful onboarding based on research from NABA.

At Ampersand, we are helping businesses and universities who are often left scratching their head and wondering, “How can we reach Gen Z?” “How can we market to Gen Z?” “How can we hire Gen Z?” “How can we retain Gen Z?”

Ampersand and Dell Technologies come together to support Austin young professionals at SXSW.

Ampersand has partnered with theCity of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth program for >500 summer jobs. We customized a portion of our proven 50 hours of curriculum to upskill and prepare the young professionals applying for the Hire Houston Youth program.